Temporary Permit for Humanitarian Transactions with Syria

Summary#

The government issued the General Permit Allowing Specified Activities and Transactions that Are Prohibited Under the Special Economic Measures (Syria) Regulations. It lets people in Canada and Canadians abroad temporarily carry out certain financial transactions with Syria when those transactions are aimed at democratization, stabilization, or humanitarian assistance. The permit took effect on February 28, 2025 and lasts 180 days.

What it does#

• Allows any person in Canada or any Canadian outside Canada to provide financial or related services that would otherwise be banned under the Special Economic Measures (Syria) Regulations, when the activity supports democratization, stabilization, or delivery of humanitarian aid in Syria.
• Specifically permits transactions with these seven banks that are listed in the permit:
  • Commercial Bank of Syria
  • Real Estate Bank
  • Industrial Bank
  • Popular Credit Bank
  • Saving Bank
  • Agricultural Cooperative Bank
  • Central Bank of Syria
• Allows providing or acquiring financial or related services to, from, or for the benefit of Syria or a person in Syria for the permitted aims.
• Is temporary: it ends after 180 days (about 6 months) from when it came into force.
• Does not remove other legal limits. Activities outside the scope described remain prohibited. Other Canadian criminal laws and binding UN sanctions can still apply.

Who's affected#

• Humanitarian groups, charities, non-profit organizations and civil society groups that want to send money or services into Syria.
• Members of the Syrian diaspora in Canada who send funds or support.
• Financial institutions and banks that will need to process or screen permitted transactions while continuing to meet their compliance obligations.
• The permit is written to apply to “any person in Canada or Canadian outside Canada,” so individuals and companies could use it if their activity fits the stated aims.
• Enforcement and guidance bodies such as Global Affairs Canada and the Trade Commissioner Service are involved in outreach and compliance support.

Why it matters#

• It makes it easier, for a limited time, to move funds and services into Syria for humanitarian relief and for activities tied to political stabilization or democratization. That can speed food, water, medicine and other aid into parts of the country.
• The permit lets people and organizations work directly with certain Syrian banks, including the Central Bank of Syria, which many sanctions normally block.
• The change is temporary and meant to align Canada with similar steps taken by allies (for example, by the U.S., U.K., and EU).
• Important limits remain: other crimes and UN measures can still bar some activity, and breaking the rules can carry penalties (up to $25,000 on summary conviction or up to one year in jail; on indictment, up to five years).